U.S. patent application number 14/162931 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-07 for air seeder apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is Bourgault Industries Ltd.. Invention is credited to Gerard Bourgault, Bob Cochran, Mark Cresswell, Scot Jagow.
Application Number | 20140216314 14/162931 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48868749 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140216314 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bourgault; Gerard ; et
al. |
August 7, 2014 |
AIR SEEDER APPARATUS
Abstract
An air seeder includes a combination tank propulsion vehicle
with mounted product tanks, and metering devices dispensing product
from each product tank. A furrow opener implement is towed by the
vehicle and an engine rotates the vehicle wheels and two or more
implement wheels. A pneumatic distribution system conveys dispensed
products to the furrow openers. The external guidance system sends
location signals indicating a location of the implement frame to
the operator. Steering, metering, and distribution signals are sent
by both the external guidance system and an operator with a remote
operator control, and operator signals override signals from the
external guidance system.
Inventors: |
Bourgault; Gerard; (St.
Brieux, CA) ; Cresswell; Mark; (St. Brieux, CA)
; Cochran; Bob; (St. Brieux, CA) ; Jagow;
Scot; (St. Brieux, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bourgault Industries Ltd. |
St. Brieux |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
48868749 |
Appl. No.: |
14/162931 |
Filed: |
January 24, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
111/174 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01C 7/081 20130101;
A01B 69/003 20130101; A01B 49/06 20130101; Y02P 60/16 20151101;
A01C 21/005 20130101; A01B 69/008 20130101; A01B 69/004 20130101;
Y02P 60/00 20151101; A01C 7/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
111/174 |
International
Class: |
A01C 7/08 20060101
A01C007/08; A01C 7/06 20060101 A01C007/06; A01B 49/06 20060101
A01B049/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 4, 2013 |
CA |
2804569 |
Claims
1. An air seeder apparatus comprising: a combination tank
propulsion vehicle mounted on vehicle wheels for movement along the
ground along a path in response to steering signals from an
external guidance system and in response to steering signals from
an operator control, and wherein steering signals from the operator
control override steering signals from the external guidance
system; a furrow opener implement connected to a rear end of the
tank propulsion vehicle about a substantially vertical pivot axis,
the implement comprising an implement frame mounted on implement
wheels and a plurality of ground engaging furrow openers mounted on
the implement frame; an engine mounted on the tank propulsion
vehicle connected to rotate the vehicle wheels and at least two
implement wheels in response to drive signals from the external
guidance system and in response to drive signals from the operator
control, and wherein drive signals from the operator control
override drive signals from the external guidance system; a
plurality of product tanks mounted on the tank propulsion vehicle,
and a metering device dispensing agricultural product from each
product tank in response to metering signals from the external
guidance system and in response to metering signals from the
operator control, and wherein metering signals from the operator
control override metering signals from the external guidance
system; a pneumatic distribution system connected to receive the
agricultural products dispensed by the metering devices and convey
the agricultural products to the furrow openers in response to
distribution signals from the external guidance system and in
response to distribution signals from the operator control, and
wherein distribution signals from the operator control override
distribution signals from the external guidance system; wherein the
external guidance system sends location signals indicating a
location of the implement frame to the operator control; wherein
the operator control is portable and located remote from the tank
propulsion vehicle.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the engine is connected to
drive a generator; and comprising an electric motor connected to
each vehicle wheel and each of the at least two implement wheels,
and wherein the generator provides electric power to each electric
motor.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the external guidance system
receives location signals from at least one of a group of global
positioning satellites, a group of signal towers, and a laser
beam.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one camera
sending real time video of the implement frame to the operator
control.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising right and left location
sensors located at corresponding right and left ends of the
implement frame, the right and left location sensors sending
location signals to the external guidance system and to the
operator control.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a system control
operative to monitor functions of the tank propulsion vehicle and
implement frame and display same on the operator control.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the system control compares the
functions of the tank propulsion vehicle and implement frame to
selected ranges for each monitored function, and wherein the system
control is operative to shut down selected functions when
deviations from the selected ranges are detected.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the system control monitors
rotation of the vehicle wheels, flow of agricultural product from
the metering devices, flow of agricultural product through the
distribution system, and location of the implement frame.
9. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising an encroachment
sensor operative to detect an object in the path of the implement
frame and send encroachment signals to the system control, and
wherein the system control is operative to shut down rotation of
the driven wheels when an object is detected in the path of the
implement frame.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the engine is connected to
rotate two implement wheels supporting a front center portion of
the implement frame.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a weight of the tank
propulsion vehicle decreases as agricultural products are dispensed
from the product tanks from a full weight when the product tanks
are substantially filled with agricultural products, to an empty
weight when the product tanks are substantially empty, and wherein
the empty weight provides sufficient ballast to the vehicle wheels
and at least two implement wheels to maintain traction and move the
apparatus along the ground.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one
product tank mounted on the implement frame.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the furrow openers include a
plurality of row crop furrow openers, and comprising a hopper
mounted on each row crop furrow opener and a singulating metering
device dispensing seed from the hopper to the row crop furrow
opener, and wherein the pneumatic distribution system receives
seeds dispensed by one of the metering devices and conveys the
seeds to the hoppers.
Description
[0001] This invention is in the field of agricultural implements
and in particular a seeding apparatus that includes propulsion and
control.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In much of the agricultural industry, because weed control
is now primarily done using herbicides rather than tillage, tillage
of the soil has become greatly reduced, and it is currently very
common to conduct "no-till" agricultural operations with no tillage
at all. The furrow openers on modern seeding implements cut narrow
furrows in the soil surface and agricultural products such as seed,
fertilizer, and chemicals are deposited in the furrows. In an air
seeder the furrow openers are evenly spaced across the width of an
implement frame and the products are conveyed by a pneumatic
conveyor system from product tanks to the furrows made by the
furrow openers as a tractor tows the air seeder along the
field.
[0003] The product tanks can either be mounted on the implement
frame or on a separate tank cart towed either behind the implement
frame or forward of the implement frame. While it is known to mount
narrower width implement frames directly to a tractor or to a tank
cart, more typically the implement frame is mounted on wheels and
connected to a towing vehicle by a drawpin such that the towing
vehicle and implement frame pivot with respect to each other about
a vertical pivot axis. Where the air seeder includes a tank cart
towed forward of the implement frame, known as a "tow between
cart", the tank cart is connected at the front end thereof to the
tractor by a drawpin and the implement frame is connected to the
rear end of the tank cart by another drawpin. Where the air seeder
includes a tank cart towed behind the implement frame, the
implement frame is connected at the front end thereof to the
tractor by a drawpin and the tank cart is connected to the rear end
of the implement frame by another drawpin. The tow between cart
severely reduces the visibility of the furrow openers and the
ability of the operator to detect and correct plugging and like
operational problems, and so the tow behind cart has become more
popular.
[0004] As modern farms grow in size, air seeder manufacturers make
wider air seeders with larger product tanks to cover more field
area per hour and reduce the necessity to stop and refill the
product tanks Thus present day air seeders can be very wide, up to
90 feet or more, and the product tanks can carry 1000 bushels or
more of agricultural products, and the tank carts thus weigh
100,000 pounds or more when full, and even empty these carts weigh
30,000 to 40,000 pounds.
[0005] Tractors used to pull such large air seeders typically have
500 to 600 or more horsepower (HP). Tractors are generally
ballasted to weigh about 100 pounds per horsepower to have
sufficient traction to transfer the horsepower to the ground, and
these large tractors thus weigh 50,000 to 60,000 pounds. Thus, a
large air seeder train can weigh over 150,000 pounds, and this
weight passing over the field surface can cause soil compaction,
especially in some soil types, and reduce productivity in the soil
over which the wheels of the train pass.
[0006] HORSCH Maschinen GmbH of Sitzenhof, Germany manufactures a
self-propelled air seeder with an operator's station at a front end
of a vehicle and a plurality of product tanks mounted on the same
vehicle behind the operator's station, essentially combining the
tractor and product tank cart of the conventional air seeder and
reducing the weight. A furrow opener implement comprising an
implement frame supported on wheels is connected to the rear end of
the vehicle, and product is carried from the product tanks to the
furrow openers by an air stream. Like the tow between cart, the
large tanks directly behind the operator's station block virtually
any view of the furrow openers, except those on the extreme right
and left outer ends of the implement frame.
[0007] Lemken Co. of Alpen Germany have manufactured a similar
self-propelled air seeder with a mounted implement frame carrying
furrow openers and ground working tools. Because the furrow opener
implement is mounted directly to the propulsion vehicle, the width
of this machine is limited compared to the 80-90 foot wide
implements desired in modern farming on large acreages.
[0008] External guidance systems include receivers mounted on the
vehicle to receive location information from global positioning
systems (GPS), ground based signal towers, lasers, and the like and
are now commonly used to automatically steer tractors pulling air
seeders and like agricultural implements to follow a desired path.
After the boundaries of a field have been defined by a headland
pass, the guidance system will keep track of where the seeding
implement is located and provide guidance to accurately cover the
field, one swath or pass at a time until the field has been fully
covered. At the outset, tractors and self-propelled equipment such
as field sprayers equipped with these "auto-steer" systems required
human intervention to control starting and stopping the application
of the agricultural products at the correct time, and to make the
headland turns. The newest auto-steer systems can now control the
application of agricultural products and make the headland turns
without human intervention. Also, when irregular shaped areas
within a field are encountered, GPS based systems have now been
developed to identify overlap areas and prevent double application
of the farm materials.
[0009] Such modern guidance systems can determine the location of
the furrow openers to within two inches or less, and the aim is to
guide the furrow openers in each pass so that a consistent spacing,
typically about 10-12 inches, is achieved between the end furrow
opener on one implement pass and the end furrow opener on the next
adjacent pass.
[0010] Location sensors can be used to accurately determine the
location of the furrow openers on the implement frame however since
guidance is provided by the tractor at the front end of the train,
significant deviations can occur, especially where a series of
vertical pivotal connections is present between the furrow opener
implement and the tractor. A heavy product cart at the rear of the
chain of implements can also pull the furrow opener implement off
course on sloping terrain.
[0011] In air seeders where all the product tanks are mounted on
the implement frame, there is no tank cart and so there is only a
single vertical pivot axis and the guidance is more accurate. With
the larger product tanks desired for wide air seeders however, it
is not practical to mount all product tanks on the implement frame,
so larger air seeders typically require a tank cart.
[0012] The growing sophistication of external guidance systems has
also led to the development of unmanned tractors, such as
manufactured by Autonomous Tractor Corporation of Fargo, N.D. These
tractors have diesel-electric drive and are guided by a laser based
external guidance system, and include a remote control that allows
control by a remote operator. A large fuel tank allows for 36 hours
of operation, and a ballast tank allows the weight of the tractor
to be increased or decreased as conditions might warrant by adding
or removing water.
[0013] Conventionally, farmers would typically own a number of
tractors of different sizes to pull the varied implements used in
their operations. A large high powered tractor was used to pull the
widest heavy implements that were used for tillage and seeding, and
often as well to power large combines at harvest time. Smaller
tractors might be used for spraying, to operate a loader, or for
mowing and like lighter jobs.
[0014] Since the advent of no-till seeding, tillage is no longer
carried out by many farmers. Combines of the type that are pulled
behind large tractors are also no longer much in use. The result is
that on many farms the largest tractor is used only for pulling the
air seeder at seeding time, and sits idle for the rest of the
year.
SUMMARY
[0015] It is an object of the present invention to provide an air
seeder apparatus that overcomes problems in the prior art.
[0016] The self-propelled air seeders of the prior art essentially
do away with the tractor and mount the drive and controls on the
air seeder cart turning same into a tank propulsion vehicle, and
then tow the furrow opener implement behind or mount it on the tank
propulsion vehicle. The amount of weight being moved around the
field is significantly reduced, thereby reducing fuel consumption
and soil compaction.
[0017] Another important factor in seeding operations is the small
window of time in which the seeding operation should take place to
achieve maximum crop yields When the weather is wet during this
period it can be difficult or impossible to operate air seeders as
they sink into the wet ground, and reducing the weight also allows
the machine to operate on wetter ground without sinking While the
prior art self-propelled air seeders reduce the weight of the
apparatus, the weight of the tank propulsion vehicle must still be
enough to provide sufficient ballast to the driven wheels of the
tank propulsion vehicle to maintain traction and move the apparatus
along the ground in the normal seeding operation.
[0018] The present invention provides an air seeder apparatus
comprising a combination tank propulsion vehicle mounted on vehicle
wheels for movement along the ground along a path in response to
steering signals from an external guidance system and in response
to steering signals from an operator control, and steering signals
from the operator control override steering signals from the
external guidance system A furrow opener implement is connected to
a rear end of the tank propulsion vehicle about a substantially
vertical pivot axis, the implement comprising an implement frame
mounted on implement wheels and a plurality of ground engaging
furrow openers mounted on the implement frame. An engine mounted on
the tank propulsion vehicle is connected to rotate the vehicle
wheels and at least two implement wheels in response to drive
signals from the external guidance system and in response to drive
signals from the operator control, and drive signals from the
operator control override drive signals from the external guidance
system. A plurality of product tanks is mounted on the tank
propulsion vehicle, and a metering device dispenses agricultural
product from each product tank in response to metering signals from
the external guidance system and in response to metering signals
from the operator control, and metering signals from the operator
control override metering signals from the external guidance
system. A pneumatic distribution system is connected to receive the
agricultural products dispensed by the metering devices and convey
the agricultural products to the furrow openers in response to
distribution signals from the external guidance system and in
response to distribution signals from the operator control, and
distribution signals from the operator control override
distribution signals from the external guidance system. The
external guidance system sends location signals indicating a
location of the implement frame to the operator control, which is
portable and located remote from the tank propulsion vehicle.
[0019] Thus in the present invention, the weight carried on the
driven implement wheels is also utilized as ballast to facilitate
transferring the required power from the engine to the ground to
propel the apparatus along the ground. In a typical 80 foot wide
furrow opener implement, the front center wheels are substantially
larger than the other wheels in order to support the weight of the
implement with the wings folded up into a transport position with
all the implement weight carried by the center wheels. When in the
field operating position with the wings folded down, the weight on
the center forward wheels will still typically be about
9,000-10,000 pounds and the larger front wheels help to provide
flotation for this weight in wet soil conditions. This weight can
also be utilized as ballast instead of simply dead weight by
driving these center front wheels. Thus where the weight on the
center forward wheels of the furrow opener implement is 10,000
pounds, 100 HP can be transferred from the drive through the center
forward wheels, and the weight of the tank propulsion vehicle can
be reduced by 10,000 pounds, and the weight of the apparatus that
is not used as ballast, or the dead weight, is significantly
reduced. In an air seeder apparatus of the invention where a
product tank is mounted on the furrow opener implement, the weight
on driven implement wheels, even when the tank is empty, can be
significantly more.
[0020] In the prior self-propelled air seeders, the engine
horsepower and drive system are configured to provide sufficient
power and traction to propel the tank propulsion vehicle and the
implement frame when the product tanks are full and the furrow
openers are engaged in the ground to the maximum depth
contemplated, and further considering the contemplated ground
slopes that will be encountered. As agricultural products are
dispensed from the product tanks on the tank propulsion vehicle the
weight of the vehicle decreases from a full weight when the product
tanks are filled with agricultural products, to an empty weight
when the product tanks are empty. When the product tanks are full
there is ample weight to provide ballast and traction to the driven
wheels, however the empty weight must still provide sufficient
ballast to the driven wheels of the tank propulsion vehicle to
maintain traction and move the apparatus along the ground in the
normal seeding operation.
[0021] As agricultural products are dispensed from the product
tanks and the weight of the tank propulsion vehicle decreases, the
horsepower requirement also decreases somewhat since less weight is
being moved along the field. In the present invention the empty
weight of the tank propulsion vehicle can be reduced to take
advantage of this attribute.
[0022] Where, for example the power requirement of the air seeder
apparatus when filled with 50,000 pounds of product is 500 HP, the
weight of the product alone provides sufficient ballast of 100
pounds per HP on the wheels of the tank propulsion vehicle, all of
which are driven wheels. When the product tanks are approaching
empty, the power requirement may be reduced to 450 HP, requiring a
ballast weight of 45,000 pounds. With 100 HP being provided through
the driven implement wheels, only 350 HP must be provided through
the vehicle wheels, all of which are driven. Thus the tank
propulsion vehicle needs to weigh only 35,000 pounds when
empty.
[0023] Thus instead of requiring the tank propulsion vehicle to
weigh 50,000 pounds in order to provide ballast for 500 HP power
requirement, the weight of the tank propulsion vehicle can be
reduced to 35,000 pounds. Reducing the weight of the tank
propulsion vehicle and the power required to be transferred by the
tank propulsion vehicle wheels means the size of these wheels can
be reduced, resulting in cost savings. Alternatively where it is
desired to provide as much flotation as possible in wet soil
conditions, the wheels can be kept the same size or made larger,
reducing the weight per unit area and increasing the flotation, or
resistance to sinking into soft wet soil. This reduced weight also
reduces compaction and overall power and fuel requirements.
[0024] Increasing the diameter of the center front implement wheels
helps prevent the piles of soil or mud that form in front of the
wheels from being as large when compared to two smaller diameter
tires on a tandem or walking axle. The larger wheel can also more
easily roll over or push down the pile that does tend to form.
Driving the wheel adds the ability for the wheels, especially
wheels with traction lugs extending from surfaces thereof, to pull
down the piles of soil or mud that tend to form in front of them
and provides a force to urge the wheel upwards which are beneficial
in wet conditions.
[0025] The invention further overcomes the disadvantage of the
self-propelled air seeders discussed above where the operator is
unable to view and monitor the operation of the furrow opener
implement. The tank propulsion vehicle is unmanned and guided by an
external guidance system as described above. Cameras and sensors
monitor any plugging conditions that may develop and encroachment
sensors monitor any objects that may enter the path of the
apparatus and can stop the drive systems to avoid damage.
[0026] The unmanned operation of the present invention allows for
prolonged periods of operation with reduced operator stress.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions
hereof, preferred embodiments are provided in the accompanying
detailed description which may be best understood in conjunction
with the accompanying diagrams where like parts in each of the
several diagrams are labeled with like numbers, and where:
[0028] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of an air
seeder apparatus of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the embodiment of FIG.
1;
[0030] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of an alternate embodiment
of an air seeder apparatus of the present invention where the tank
propulsion vehicle is rigid instead of articulated, and one of the
product tanks is mounted on the implement frame;
[0031] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of a further alternate
embodiment of an air seeder apparatus of the invention where the
furrow openers include a plurality of row crop furrow openers such
as are known on row crop planter implements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] FIGS. 1 and 2 schematically illustrate an embodiment of an
air seeder apparatus 1 of the present invention comprising a
combination tank propulsion vehicle 3 mounted on vehicle wheels 5
for movement along the ground along a path P in response to
steering signals from an external guidance system 7 and in response
to steering signals from an operator control 9. The external
guidance system 7 will be of the type widely used in agricultural
operations where the external guidance system 7 receives location
signals from a group of global positioning satellites, a group of
signal towers, laser beam or the like, and through a typical
automatic steering system that guides an agricultural vehicle along
a programmed path. The illustrated tank propulsion vehicle 3 is
articulated about a middle pivot axis MA in the same manner as
large conventional tractors.
[0033] The operator control 9 is provided by a portable wireless
device that can be carried by an operator, and is located remote
from the tank propulsion vehicle 3. For safety, steering signals
from the operator control 9 override steering signals from the
external guidance system 7. Because control is through the operator
control 9, the tank propulsion vehicle 3 does not need to have an
operator's station and the costly chair, audio system, air
conditioning and the like found in conventional tractors or manned
self-propelled air seeders. Cost and weight are thereby
reduced.
[0034] A furrow opener implement 11 is connected to a rear end of
the tank propulsion vehicle 3 about a substantially vertical pivot
axis PA. The implement 11 comprises an implement frame 13 mounted
on implement wheels 15 and a plurality of ground engaging furrow
openers 17 mounted on the implement frame 13.
[0035] An engine 19 is mounted on the tank propulsion vehicle 3 and
is connected to rotate all of the vehicle wheels 5 on the tank
propulsion vehicle 3, and the two larger front center wheels 15A
that support the front center portion of the implement frame 13 in
response to drive signals from the external guidance system 7 and
in response to drive signals from the operator control 9, and again
drive signals from the operator control 9 override drive signals
from the external guidance system 7. Thus all the weight of the
tank propulsion vehicle 3 acts as ballast to the driven wheels 5.
Smaller implement wheels 15B on outer portions of the implement 11
are not driven, and typically support only minimal weight compared
to the weight carried by the larger implement wheels 15A. Packer
wheels 15C are mounted on the end of each arm supporting a furrow
opener 17, and are also not driven.
[0036] In the illustrated tank propulsion vehicle 3, the engine 19
is connected to drive a generator 21; and an electric motor 23 is
connected to each vehicle wheel 5 and each of the two driving
implement wheels 15A, and the generator 21 provides electric power
to each electric motor 23. It is contemplated that such a
diesel-electric drive system will be most efficient to build and
operate, other motors such as hydraulic motors could be used as
well. The driving wheels 5 of the tank propulsion vehicle 3 could
interface directly with the ground surface, or through track
systems as are known in the art.
[0037] A plurality of product tanks 25 is mounted on the tank
propulsion vehicle 3, and a metering device 27 dispenses
agricultural products such as seed, fertilizer, and chemicals from
each product tank 25 in response to metering signals from the
external guidance system 7 and in response to metering signals from
the operator control 9, and again metering signals from the
operator control override metering signals from the external
guidance system 7.
[0038] A pneumatic distribution system 29 is connected to receive
the agricultural products dispensed by the metering devices 27 and
convey the agricultural products to the furrow openers 17 in
response to distribution signals from the external guidance system
7 and in response to distribution signals from the operator control
9, and again distribution signals from the operator control 9
override distribution signals from the external guidance system 7.
The external guidance system 7 also sends location signals
indicating a location of the implement frame 13 to the operator
control 9.
[0039] The metering devices 27 typically will be calibrated to
apply a selected rate of the dispensed product to the field, or
where the apparatus is configured as a row crop planter, as
schematically illustrated in FIG. 4 and described below, one of the
metering devices 27 may dispense seeds to mini-hoppers on each
furrow opener, and singulating meters will then dispense the
selected rate of seed from the mini-hoppers.
[0040] In a typical operation the apparatus 1 will be controlled by
the operator control 9 when beginning a field and the operator may
be temporarily at a location on the apparatus 1, or following the
apparatus 1 in a separate vehicle to monitor the apparatus and make
the initial pass or passes around the field to establish the
boundaries. The operator may then release guidance to the external
guidance system 7, and the apparatus will continue to make passes
along the field guided by the external guidance system 7 and
automatic steering system, turning at the field boundaries as is
known in the art. Metering signals from the external guidance
system 7 will also automatically turn metering by the metering
devices 27 on and off as required when turning at the boundaries,
or in overlap areas. The distribution system 29 can be activated or
deactivated as required as well.
[0041] The operator with the operator control 9 provides general
oversight of the operation through a system control 31 operative to
monitor functions of the tank propulsion vehicle 3 and implement
frame 13 and display same to the operator. The system control 31
compares the functions of the tank propulsion vehicle 3 and
implement frame 13 to selected ranges for each monitored function,
and is operative to shut down selected functions when deviations
from the selected ranges are detected. The system control 31
monitors rotation of the vehicle wheels 5 and possibly the driven
implement wheels 15A, flow of agricultural product from the
metering devices 27, flow of agricultural product through the
distribution system 29, and location of the implement frame 13.
Typically one or more cameras 33 will send real time video of the
implement frame 13 to the operator control 9 so that plugged
openers can be detected. Video of the tank propulsion vehicle 3 can
be provided as well. Plugged openers and like deviations can also
be detected by force sensors located to detect increased draft
forces on the implement frame 19 for example.
[0042] The operator carrying the portable operator control 9 can
monitor the operation of the apparatus 1 while carrying out other
duties such as gathering agricultural products needed to refill the
product tanks 25 and keep the operation going, or unrelated duties
such as accounting, marketing, and the like.
[0043] It is also contemplated that the operator could monitor two
or more air seeder apparatuses 1 of the present invention. The
automatic nature of the operation allows the operation to continue
for longer hours as operator stress is reduced. Relatively
unskilled operators could also be used where the operator is
required only to stop the apparatus 1 if something goes wrong, and
then call in a skilled operator. These less skilled operators can
also refill the product tanks 15, refuel, grease, and perform like
necessary activities.
[0044] Typically right and left location sensors 35R, 35L are
located at corresponding right and left ends of the implement frame
13, and send location signals to the external guidance system 7 and
to the operator. An encroachment sensor 37 is operative to detect
an object in the path of the implement frame 13 and send
encroachment signals to the system control 31, which is operative
to shut down rotation of the driven wheels 5, 15A when an object is
detected in the path of the implement frame 13. Radar, lasers,
sonar, or like sensors can be strategically located for the
particular apparatus, and used to detect encroachments.
[0045] The weight of the tank propulsion vehicle 3 decreases as
agricultural products are dispensed from the product tanks 25 from
a full weight when the product tanks 25 are substantially filled
with agricultural products, to an empty weight when the product
tanks 25 are substantially empty. The empty weight is selected to
provide sufficient ballast to the driven wheels 5, 15A to maintain
traction and move the apparatus 1 along the ground in the normal
seeding operation.
[0046] The engine 19 and driven wheels 5, 15A are designed to
provide sufficient power and traction to propel the tank propulsion
vehicle 3 and implement 11 when the product tanks 25 are full and
the furrow openers 17 are engaged in the ground to the maximum
depth contemplated, and further considering the contemplated ground
slopes that will be encountered. As the as agricultural products
are dispensed from the product tanks 25 and the weight decreases,
the horsepower requirement also decreases since less weight is
being moved along the field. The actual horsepower used then will
be less than the available horsepower, and the empty weight
necessary can be calculated at the usual 100 pounds for each actual
horsepower that is being used when the product tanks are empty.
[0047] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an alternate air seeder
apparatus 101 of the invention where the tank propulsion vehicle
103 is not articulated and where one of the product tanks 125 is
mounted on the implement frame 113.
[0048] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates another alternate air
seeder apparatus 201 of the invention where the tank propulsion
vehicle 203 articulates about middle axis MA. The furrow openers
include a plurality of row crop furrow openers 217 such as are
known on row crop planter implements where a small hopper 241 is
mounted on each row crop furrow opener 217 and a singulating
metering device 243 dispenses seed from the hopper 241 to the row
crop furrow opener 217. The pneumatic distribution system 229
receives seeds dispensed by one of the metering devices 227 and
conveys the seeds to the hoppers 241 as they are required.
[0049] The present invention reduces the cost and weight of an air
seeder apparatus as compared to a similar tractor powered or
self-propelled seeding system of the prior art. Since the apparatus
of the present invention is unmanned, the cost and weight of
providing an operator's station is eliminated. The weight of the
tank propulsion vehicle can be reduced as well since some of the
power to propel the apparatus is provided by the implement wheels,
and so the minimum ballast weight of the tank propulsion vehicle
can be reduced.
[0050] By operating the seeding or planting systems unmanned, the
seeding systems could typically operate more hours per given day
placing far less demands on the people responsible for the
operation of these systems. Because of the reduced demand on the
system operators, one unmanned system would typically seed or plant
significantly more acres of "per foot of width" of the ground
engaging implement than a manned system because of operating more
hours per day.
[0051] An important issue for an unmanned system is safety.
Unmanned systems must be configured to prevent them from causing
damage to people and property regardless of the circumstances.
Safety systems have been developed and applied to vehicles and
industrial equipment to ensure that they do not inadvertently
injure people or damage property. The sensing of an encroachment
into the path of the apparatus, the extremities of which are
defined by the safety sensors, can immediately cause the apparatus
to stop and possibly shut down the power completely. Multiple GPS
or like receivers are used to ensure that the system is in the
desired location and has not made its way to some undesirable
location. Any conflict in location information causes the seeding
or planting system to immediately stop and likely power down. Loss
or degradation of the GPS signal, failure of one or more of the GPS
receivers, or failure or degradation of the signal coming from land
based position signal providers or laser beams causes the unmanned
system to immediately stop and possibly shut down completely.
[0052] The present invention provides one or more of the following
benefits: an unmanned air seeder with reduced weight, increased
flotation, improved performance in wet conditions, and reduced
manufacturing and operating costs.
[0053] The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous changes and
modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is
not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and
operation shown and described, and accordingly, all such suitable
changes or modifications in structure or operation which may be
resorted to are intended to fall within the scope of the claimed
invention.
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